"Hahaha! How could that be? It's Shinku…"
Aoyama Liuyun smiled and waved his hand. How could Yuhi Shinku possibly come looking for him?
But before he could finish speaking, a furious roar erupted from outside the courtyard of Aoyama Liuyun's home.
"Liuyun! Open the door! I know you're in there—open the door!"
"…Well!"
Not only was Aoyama Liuyun startled, even Tsunade froze in surprise.
"That's brutal," Liuyun muttered, glancing back at Tsunade.
You just joked that Yuhi Kurenai would show up, and here she is—uncannily accurate.
After returning home, Aoyama Liuyun hadn't activated his Observation Haki.
He hadn't sensed Kurenai approaching at all.
"How is that my fault?!" Tsunade shrugged, already recovering and settling in to watch the drama unfold with evident interest.
"I'll deal with you tonight," Liuyun warned and headed toward the door.
"Tch! As if I'd be scared of you!"
Tsunade shot back immediately. In truth, the outcome of "tonight" could easily swing either way, and she knew it.
But confidence? Tsunade had plenty.
Three minutes later, in the courtyard—
Yuhi Shinku stood there, livid, glaring at Liuyun as if ready to tear him apart.
Tsunade was perched on the roof's edge, openly enjoying the spectacle.
But Yuhi Kurenai remained firmly at Liuyun's side, facing her father without the slightest hesitation.
"Dad, I've decided. Brother Liuyun is the one I'll follow for the rest of my life. Nothing you say will change that!"
"I—!"
He was furious. His little cabbage had been snatched away right before his eyes!
After the war ended, Yuhi Shinku had been thrilled to reunite with his daughter.
But not long after, he sensed something was… different.
Her mannerisms, her expression, the air around her—this wasn't just the joy of a girl. It was the glow of a woman.
Finally, after some careful probing, Kurenai confessed everything about her relationship with Aoyama Liuyun.
Yuhi Shinku completely lost it.
Without saying a word, he stormed off to confront Liuyun immediately.
"Liuyun! Aren't you going to say something?!"
Kurenai demanded loudly, showing no fear of Liuyun's growing status as Konoha's war hero.
Liuyun wasn't the type to shirk responsibility.
Hearing Yuhi Shinku's rage, he smiled calmly and answered with full confidence:
"Don't worry. From today on, I won't allow anyone in this world to harm Kurenai."
"Mm!"
Kurenai nodded happily, leaning against Liuyun's arm, her face glowing with joy.
Just a simple line—but for her, it was everything.
"I…"
Yuhi Shinku opened his mouth, then closed it again. He wanted to speak, but after looking at Liuyun… and then at his daughter… nothing came out.
What more could a father ask for than seeing his daughter find someone capable and trustworthy?
He knew Aoyama Liuyun's strength.
He knew his character. Liuyun wouldn't say something he didn't mean.
But still…
I'm so angry!
That was the precious cabbage of the Yuhi family.
How did it suddenly become the Aoyama family's cabbage?!
Annoying. Infuriating. Absolutely unbearable!
"Dad, you can go home. I'll stay with Brother Liuyun from now on."
"…"
Heartbreaking. Trend-setting heartbreak.
Let me leave, you stay?
Of course he understood what she meant.
But she was his daughter. He could scold her, but he would never raise a hand against her.
So once again, he shot a fierce glare at Aoyama Liuyun.
"…"
What was he supposed to do? Liuyun was helpless.
In the end, Yuhi Shinku could only accept reality.
Even if he didn't want to, what could he do?
Naturally, Kurenai didn't stay the night.
The war had only just ended—her whole family was waiting to welcome her home properly.
Liuyun understood and said nothing.
Looks like you're the one staying tonight.
After the Yuhis left, Aoyama Liuyun smiled and looked at Tsunade, still lounging nearby.
"What? Are you looking down on me now?"
His tone made Tsunade roll her eyes.
"As if. I've missed you."
"Tch."
…
Today was a day of reunions.
Many families were overflowing with warmth and happiness.
But not everyone.
"…Sigh."
Although Minato Namikaze grew up a civilian, he possessed extraordinary talent and was the personal student of Jiraiya.
His home wasn't small—an independent yard, a two-story house—not so different from Liuyun's.
Yet even as he looked out at the peaceful streets of the restored village, Minato couldn't feel joy.
"Minato."
Kushina appeared at his door, her expression soft.
"Let's go out for a walk?"
Her eyes shone with expectation.
"Kushina, I—"
He knew she was worried.
But he simply wasn't in the mood.
Kushina didn't push. She simply stood there, her gaze fixed on him, quietly waiting.
She wasn't leaving until he agreed.
"…Alright."
Minato sighed helplessly.
He couldn't turn her down—not Kushina.
They stepped outside. Many shops had reopened, and Konoha's streets were lively again.
As they walked, Minato's heavy mood slowly eased.
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